C13-14 Isoalkane ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is used as a lightweight emollient and solvent, helping dissolve oil-soluble materials and give formulas a dry, fast-spreading feel. It can also reduce greasiness in oils, balms, and color cosmetics.
What does C13-14 Isoalkane do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is used as a lightweight emollient and solvent, helping dissolve oil-soluble materials and give formulas a dry, fast-spreading feel. It can also reduce greasiness in oils, balms, and color cosmetics.
Is C13-14 Isoalkane clean?
From a clean beauty perspective, it is generally low-odor, non-sensitizing, and low irritation, but it has friction because it is usually petrochemical and may be flagged by standards that exclude synthetic petroleum-derived carriers. It is not a classic allergen or preservative concern.
Is C13-14 Isoalkane sustainable?
It is typically made from fossil feedstocks through refining and further processing. It is expected to biodegrade more readily than many silicone fluids, but branched hydrocarbon mixtures can break down more slowly than straight-chain renewable esters and carry a higher feedstock footprint.
Is C13-14 Isoalkane COSMOS-approved?
It is not permitted as a conventional petrochemical-derived emollient or solvent under COSMOS organic or natural finished product standards. Its Green Chemistry profile is mixed, with good chemical stability and low reactivity, but weak alignment on renewable sourcing and processing intensity.
How does C13-14 Isoalkane work chemically?
The material is a mixture of saturated, branched carbon chains in the low-teen carbon range, with very low polarity, low water solubility, and strong compatibility with oils, waxes, and lipophilic pigments. It is commonly used from low single digits to 20% or more depending on format, remains stable across normal cosmetic pH because it does not ionize in water, and is less prone to rancid oxidation than unsaturated plant oils.
Last updated 2026-05-13